Mob raids church, attempts ban on church services

CIPAYUNG, Indonesia — On Aug. 17, a Muslim mob stormed a church service in Cipayung, East Jakarta, forcing Christians to flee, and they then erected banners in the street declaring a ban on “churches and religious services.”

As about 20 church members were celebrating the nation’s Independence Day at the service, the angry assailants arrived at the Pentecostal Church of Indonesia in Pondok Rangon village, Cipayung, at 9:30 a.m. shouting “Allahu Akbar!” or “God is greater!” Some in the mob were neighbors, but the majority was not local residents, according to Pastor Chris Ambessa.

Local officials made no effort to intervene or prohibit the illegal banners. Ambessa has been in the middle of a dispute over his house church.

Previously, Cipayung officials had ordered him to dismantle the second floor of his home, and on July 13 they ordered him to cease religious activity for an indefinite period following neighborhood protests against his house church.

Neighbors had demanded that Ambessa completely demolish the building.